Lawmakers in Uganda voted on Thursday to send troops to Gaza as part of a proposed international peacekeeping force organized under US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace to secure the territory in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas war.
The defense minister presented the successful motion, marking the first formal confirmation that Uganda intends to contribute troops to the International Stabilization Force (ISF). Morocco has also pledged personnel to the initiative.
The decision prompted immediate debate in the legislature regarding the specific motivations and financial arrangements behind the move.
“We also need to know the funding of this force. Who is going to fund our stay in Gaza?” asked Enos Asiimwe, a member of parliament, during the floor debate.
In response, Defense Minister Kiryowa Kiwanuka pointed to the operational experience and capabilities of the Ugandan armed forces developed during prior international missions, including deployments in Somalia, to urge support from the assembly.
The ISF proposal, introduced by the Board of Peace in February, envisions a 20,000-strong contingent under the command of American Major General Jasper Jeffers, who stated in May that the force aims to guarantee long-term stability and security in the region.
The vote follows a recent announcement by President Trump detailing a framework for Hamas to disarm and for Israeli military units to withdraw from Gaza. Under the terms of the arrangement, the international force is scheduled to deploy following a phased departure of Israeli troops.
The accord, which builds on a broader ceasefire concluded last year, requires Israel to halt military operations while requiring Hamas and allied armed factions to cease all militant activity. It also outlines the primary parameters for the disarmament process. Following the release of the text, Israeli officials noted they had communicated significant security concerns to American counterparts.
Despite the ceasefire agreed upon in October that halted major hostilies after two years of conflict, Israeli strikes have resulted in 1,250 casualties since the agreement took effect.
